Meadows are grassy areas (grasses and/or legumes) and can be:
- permanent: permanent grassy area
- temporary: they are used “for a time” in the rotation (from 1 to 5 years)
- catch crops: grown between two main crops (e.g.: nitrate-fixing intermediate crops)
These meadows have different roles: to feed a herd, manage flora, grazing, mowing etc. These roles are widely studied because meadow management is complex and often underestimated. Meadow management greatly influences the quantity and quality of forage that will fulfil the objectives of various animal feeds.
Flora
Grasses:
Installation
Growth
Resistance
Flooding
Cold
Flooding
Sowing rates
per hectare
(+ red clover)
(+ 3kg white clover)
(+ 3kg white clover)
(+ 1/3kg clover)
(+ 2/6kg white clover)
(+ white clover)
Nitrogen
fertilisation
response
response
DM forage
/hectare
Use
rotation
rotation
grazing
grazing
grazing
grazing
Legumes:
Requirement
Resistance
Sowing rates per hectare
alone 10-15 kg combined
only 1-5 kg combined
+ legumes
alone 10-12 kg combined
DM forage/
hectare
(15-20 t si irrigué)
Use
in short -term meadow
for long-term grazing
in difficult terrains
Success factors
Fertilisation
Export table of key nutrients (kg/hectare) for a hayfield (intensive) (Source: INRA)
(9 t DM/ha)
(10 t DM/ha)
(12 t DM/ha)
N
P2O5
K20
MgO
CaO
SO3
Chart showing the nitrogen requirements of a meadow, depending on the farming method (Source: INRA)
mixed mowing/grazing meadow
kg N/t de DM
Meadow fertilisation requirements largely depend on the farming method. Nitrogen requirements can increase threefold.
Phosphorus requirements are particularly high in old meadows. Potash is an item exported in large quantities as production intensifies.
Zinc is a secondary element to look out for to ensure good quality forage and to strengthen animal health.
Our solutions for organic farming
Period of application :
– On establishment
– After mowing
– At the end of winter
Sowing objective: strong start-up and rapid development
- Quick soil occupation to avoid leaving time for weeds to grow
- Stimulating root growth to rapidly trap as many elements possible and reduce non-productive time
- Improving stress tolerance for high quality and quantity cutting
- Obtaining good establishment for results over future years
Objective after mowing or at the end of winter: promoting regrowth and rigorous plants
- Restarting at the end of winter or following a first cut (stressful action) for subsequent high quality and quantity mowing
- stress resistance, especially summer weather conditions
- stimulating the plant to prepare for the stress it will be subjected to over the following months
In addition, our various media will also provide phosphorus, and potassium Essential for the storage of sugars and proteins to ensure quality forage, etc
Period of application :
– After mowing
– At the end of winter
Objective: enhancing added organic matter with compost and the soil for higher productivity
- Improving your soil and organic inputs (enhanced farming)
- Improving the availability of elements for better growth and yield
- Producing good quantity forage for better autonomy and quality (total nitrogenous materials)
In addition, our various media will also provide calcium and sulphur to strengthen the nutrition your soil and forage quality, etc.
Period of application :
At the end of winter
Objective : Stimulating the growth of crops for better quality
- Stimulating root growth
- Increasing soil fertility by providing organic elements (NPK)
- Improving nutrient absorption
In addition, our various media provide, for example, potassium, essential for the storage of sugars and proteins to ensure quality forage, etc.
For personalised advice, please contact our experts:
Contact